When we think of dragons, its usually a colossal sized behemoth that can fly, breathe fire and cause all manner of chaos. Perhaps a small, petit creature that measures no more than a few inches and has a gorgeous blue color to them isn’t what we imagine from a dragon, but that’s precisely what you get from the intriguing creature known as the blue dragon – plus these guys are real!
A cnidarian (similar to jellyfish), the blue dragon actually goes by the name of Glaucus atlanticus and is often referred to as a blue sea slug. They are rather illusive creatures thanks to their small size, and the fact they are a vibrant blue colour that blends into the ocean, it’s understandable why we rarely see these weird little guys.
The images were caught in Queensland, Australia after one washed up on the shore. It’s typical of their lives, as they cling to the surface of the ocean hanging upside down, being left to the mercy of the ocean currents to transport them. Be sure not to handle the diminutive blue dragon, because despite its small sizes it can pack a serious punch with their stinging abilities which are used to ward off unwanted attention.
Came across this odd critter at Broadbeach today. It's a Glaucus Atlanticus.
Posted by Lucinda Fry on Thursday, November 12, 2015
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